Marilyn Goodman is lousy at retiring. After 14 years of retail at Calhoun Square (remember Hollywood High? Bonus points if you go back even further, to Disco Baby and Cheap Thrills) and another 20 at 50th & France with Spirit, she closed her boutique—only to pop up at Guild in St. Louis Park. She had her own Spirit section within the Guild's collective space, selling her signature laid-back chic cargo pants, hoodies and cotton pieces women tend to live in when the day demands casual, but cool.

Now, she's back in her own storefront (4428 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, 952-920-0895), just a few doors down from Guild and Ciel Loft & Home. The location and the rent were just too good to pass up, Goodman says. She's about to get a new next door neighbor, too—Mama's Happy, which started as an occasional sale in Mound and added stores in Linden Hills and on St. Paul's Grand Avenue, is opening on Excelsior Boulevard later this month, with its upbeat mix of upcycled and handcrafted goods.

Of course, the entire building that houses these stores and Techline was recently purchased by Bridgewater Bank, and, according to current tenants, is due to be torn down and rebuilt with retail and residential sometime next year. Bridgewater plans to move into the space formerly occupied by Kiddywampus, which has opened a new toy store/art studio in downtown Hopkins.

Goodman says she's working "in the now" and isn't worried about Spirit's next next chapter, beyond the current space. I mentioned to her that Calhoun Square is redeveloping, now that it's been purchased by Stuart Ackerberg, who would love to restore the energy and indie vibe of the '80s. A return to Uptown would be a fitting full circle for the tireless shop girl.